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avy fighting in Aleppo, as rebel forces ramp up their efforts to control the city. Insurgents attacking government strongholds in the city's northwest, and south, on Sunday, as they try to break a siege. Among them Islamist militant groups, detonating car bombs, before attacking a residential district, and army positions, in a cement factory.

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Aleppo was Syria's largest city before the war, it's been a bastion for rebels seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad. His army is backed by Shiite Muslim militias from neighboring countries and Russian air strikes. Recent gains by rebel forces have set back Assad's hopes of reclaiming the city. The intensified conflict has also caused 100s of deaths, while conditions for civilians are steadily deteriorating.

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Fighting's prevented aid groups from reaching Eastern Aleppo, leaving nearly 250,000 people trapped in the city unable to get water, power, or vital supplies.